Britain’s top trail builders are welcoming representatives from IMBA to the UK for month of mountain bike promotion. Trail specialists, Joey Klein and Rich Edwards from IMBA, will be joining forces with the Forestry Commission and touring the UK’s top off-road destinations, inspiring and motivating the construction of high-quality trails.

IMBA Executive Director, Tim Blumenthal, had this to say about the visit:

“We want to help raise the game even further in Britain. IMBA have been working well together with the Forestry Commission for several years on mountain bike trails and tourism promotion.”

“This summer’s multi-faceted, month-long visit by IMBA’s trail specialists will strengthen our partnership, facilitate information exchange, and speed up the development of new trails that will be enjoyed by UK cyclists and others for years to come.”

IMBA believe that Britain’s mountain biking issues and opportunities are similar to those in the rest of the developed world. Trails near cities can be crowded and not always available for cyclists’ use. Many are not designed or built properly and often erode due to lack of maintenance. IMBA are keen to get the message across that communities providing great trails and related facilities (food, lodgings, bike shops and hire) can realise tremendous tourism benefits.

Both IMBA and the Forestry Commission are currently finalising a joint agreement, which will help establish a solid base for improving biking facilities. Paddy Harrop, the Forestry Commission’s national biking guru, said:

“Whilst IMBA are over in Britain we are going to discuss further this agreement and hopefully we will be able to make an announcement about it soon. One thing is for sure – we are entering an exciting period for mountain biking with many fantastic trails and venues being developed with the help of many enthusiastic biking clubs and volunteers.”

IMBA’s primary goals for the visit are to:

• Share their trail expertise with the Forestry Commission and
• UK trail-builders
• Further promote mountain biking as a recreation and tourism solution
• Inspire and coordinate UK IMBA leaders
• Set the stage for future IMBA work in Britain

The itinerary for the visit is as follows:

22-25 August: Meet Karl Bartlett, Seven Stanes Co-ordinator, and the trail crew, and find out more about the £2million project to boost cycling in South Scotland

26 August: Visit Glentress and Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders

27 August: Presentation to Forestry Commission HQ staff on mountain biking

28 August: Work with the Glentress Trail Fairies and visit the Hub cafe in the evening

29-30 August: Meet local managers and trail crews at Keilder, Chopwell and Hamsterley Forests

31 Aug: Meeting with IMBA UK advocates near Yorkshire

4 Sept: Delamere forest to meet local forestry managers. See urban renewal projects around towns. Discuss new access opportunities

5-17 Sept: Wales – meet Forestry Commission’s Dafydd Davis and other key trail developers around the country

18 Sept: Forestry Commission trail planning and design course

21 Sept: Depart for Italy!